How to Minimize Size of Exchange Database File

Most common problem faced by administrator is how to manage the space on hard drive. Because Exchange database store all the action perform on it in Exchange database file so it requires space on hard drive. Here I am going to give you all possible ways to reduce size of Exchange database file.

As a client (sender) want to share mail with another client (receiver) through Exchange mail Server. Sender sends a mail then Exchange Server stablish a virtual connection between sender and receiver and keeps a copy of original mail in the Exchange database as time goes on the same process is repeated every time for all users it results huge amount of data get stored on Exchange hard drive this situation makes a sophisticated result and due to which Exchange database may be stop working.

Additional trick: - A very useful way to reduce EDB file size is just Convert the Exchange EDB Mailboxes to PST Format after that delete EDB files from Exchange Server and keep the converted PST file as a backup for future need. This backup copy will help in recovering exchange server from disaster situations. Users can easily import the converted PST file in Exchange Server Mailboxes if it is required in near future.

Size of Exchange database increases the operating speed does slow down, whenever size of database file crosses the specified limit of particular drive then file may be corrupt and it also increases the request response time. To reduce these problem we need to reduce file size and optimally manage the database. Here I am giving some ways to reduce the size of database file.

Ways to Reduce Database File

Some Quick steps to reduce size

1. Open run by hitting (windows+r) type temp and press Enter now delete all items in windows temp file.
2. Again open run type %temp%, press enter and delete all files and folders in it.
3. Delete unnecessary users open run and type following command %windir%\system32\SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe go in user profile setting and delete no longer required user.
4. Right click on Recycle Bin icon and hit Empty Recycle Bin
5. Move all downloaded files and folders in other folder.
6. You can use a CC Cleaner simply by downloading and installing. It will help you to find unusual programs and install them.

By Using Eseutil to Defragment

Microsoft utility Eseutil /D is use to defragmentation and compact the database offline it makes storage continuous, eliminate unused space and compacts the database by reducing database size.

Steps to Use Eseutil

1. Information store service should not be in active mode.
2. Go to command prompt and run the command Eseutil /ms "database.edb"
3. Multiply the number of free pages with 4KB to calculate free space.
4. Subtract free space calculated in step 3 from the size of database.
5. The resultant figure you obtain in step 4 represents data in database. Multiply 110% of the resulting figure that you obtain and finally you have got the space which you have to fragment.

Note: Speed of eseutil utility is 9GB per hour and also depend on your hardware and production environment. It requires free space equal to 110 percent of the data you want to process.

By taking Backup of data

You have many ways to back up your data but I am going to tell you efficient one i.e. by windows server backup utility provided by Microsoft first of all install the Windows Server Backup on your system and disable the replication service. Now just follow the steps

1. Go to windows start button and open the windows server backup utility.
2. Select backup once and click to Next.
3. Select full Server to take complete server backup.
4. Select custom backup.
5. Give the path of specified space where you want to save the files and click on Next.
6. 6. Now open the advance backup page and choose VSS Full Back up and hit to Next.
7. Now click on Run button and close the window after completion.

Note: - you have two option here either you delete those file which is not required or store them anywhere else.

Conclusion:-

I have explained effective and useful ways to reduce the size of Exchange database and try to give you an optimal solution even that if you face any problem regarding database file size.